Maison Saint-Augustin
In Montbron, Charente, thirty kilometers east of Angoulême, the canons regular of Saint Victor from Marie-Médiatrice Priory joyfully welcome you to their guest house: Maison Saint-Augustin.
Located in the heart of a rural and preserved region, this house is an ideal place for a spiritual retreat or time of renewal, alone or in a group.
Retreats organized by the community
A history rooted in monastic tradition
From the 11th to the 18th century, the current parish church, neighboring the priory and Maison Saint-Augustin, was part of a Benedictine priory attached to Cluny Abbey. The house where the canons live today was long a convent of the Sisters of Saint Martha, who ran an elementary school there until 1960.
The first canons regular arrived in Montbron in 1985, at the request of Bishop Georges Rol, then Bishop of Angoulême. In the mid-1990s, they transformed a neighboring Charentais house into a guest house to welcome, throughout the year, friends, acquaintances, and anyone wishing to stay with the community for a time of Christian retreat.
This place of hospitality was placed under the patronage of Saint Augustine (354–430), Father of the Church, whose rule inspires the life of the canons regular.
The community life of the canons
The community currently includes seven canons: five priests, one deacon, and one brother. Their life is organized around three fundamental pillars: fraternal life, liturgical prayer, and apostolate.
The days are structured by the liturgical offices: Lauds, midday prayer, Vespers, and Mass, all sung, partly in Latin. To better understand this rhythm, discover a typical day in the life of a monk at the monastery.
The canons are involved in several ministries serving the diocese:
- the pastoral care of Saint-Augustin en Tardoire et Bandiat Parish (32 communes grouped around Montbron, La Rochefoucauld, and the Bandiat valley);
- chaplaincy of public and private middle schools, particularly in Angoulême;
- accompanying a scout group;
- presence at retirement homes;
- diocesan services for the catechumenate and ecumenism.
What to expect during your stay
Individual or group spiritual retreat
Maison Saint-Augustin welcomes men and women of all ages, alone or in groups, for times of spiritual retreat or Christian renewal.
Individual retreats
Each retreatant is invited to experience a personal time of prayer, reflection, or work (reading, writing, gardening…). They can participate in the community's offices, benefit from personalized spiritual guidance, and experience a simple and peaceful rhythm.
Group retreats
Various groups are welcomed: Teams of Our Lady, young professionals, marriage preparation or confirmation… Upon request, a canon can meet with the group and offer spiritual teaching.
The guest house: simple and functional accommodation
The house offers:
- one individual room and four double rooms (some with pull-out beds or mezzanine);
- a self-catering kitchen (supermarket, bakery, butcher shop nearby; possibility of using a caterer);
- a large dining room adjoining the kitchen;
- three medium-sized meeting rooms;
- a meadow adjacent to the house, ideal for relaxation.
The church and the oratory of the priory are open all day, for personal prayer or participation in the offices.
Geography and activities
Find renewal in the heart of Charente
Montbron is a small commune of 2,000 inhabitants, at the crossroads of three historic provinces: Angoumois, Périgord, and Limousin.
Calm and green, the village has the feel of a large rural town. The very rural surroundings invite walking and silence, essential elements of a spiritual retreat lived in depth.
To discover in the area
The area around Montbron offers many cultural or spiritual outings, perfect to complement a time of retreat.
- Just 15 km away, La Rochefoucauld Castle, nicknamed the "pearl of Angoumois," immerses you in more than a thousand years of family and architectural history: its Renaissance staircase, library, salons, and gardens invite you to a timeless stroll.
- More locally, the thirty-five churches scattered throughout Saint-Augustin en Tardoire et Bandiat Parish offer a unique journey, between Romanesque art, picturesque bell towers, and popular spirituality rooted in the Charentais villages.
- In Angoulême (30 km), don't miss the majestic Saint-Pierre Cathedral, a masterpiece of Saintonge Romanesque art, and its treasury, which houses a remarkable collection of liturgical objects.
- Further south, the town of Cognac welcomes you to discover its vineyards, century-old cellars, and merchant houses: an immersion into a French craft combining tradition, heritage, and tasting.
- Finally, an hour's drive away, Limoges charms with its rich religious heritage (Saint-Étienne Cathedral, chapels, stained glass), but also with its Adrien Dubouché National Museum, dedicated to the art of porcelain, emblematic of the region.
Practical information
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